Guo Mama had been sent away, and Song Tanchai returned to report to Song Yima, saying, "Guo Mama has changed her mind and wants to go to Yangzhou to seek refuge with her nephew. I thought it would be good for her, being alone and helpless, to have relatives to take care of her in her old age. The Song family will also send some silver every year as a gesture of goodwill. Our family has already arranged Fangsi's funeral, held the rites, and treated Guo Mama kindly. At this point, even the greatest debt of gratitude should be considered repaid."
Song Yima sighed and said, "That's just as well." Seeing Xianglan standing at the door, she recalled what Guo Mama had said to her before leaving. She scrutinized Xianglan and indeed noticed her peach-blossom-like beauty, which made her heart sink. She thought to herself, "As soon as she arrived, she caused my most reliable people to be driven away by the eldest young master. Guo Mama was absolutely right—what is this if not bringing ruin to the household?" Her dislike for Xianglan grew, and she waved her hand dismissively, saying, "You may go now. I need to rest."
Song Tanchai and Xianglan then withdrew, and for the time being, nothing more was said.
After this incident, however, Song Tanchai found Xianglan to be steady and reliable and gradually grew closer to her. They often worked and joked together, getting along quite well. Song Tanchai said to Song Yima, "I originally thought Xianglan was merely beautiful, but now that we've been through some things, I realize she's gentle and dependable. Her conversation and insight are even better than those of noble young ladies."
Song Yima snorted, "What insight could someone from a humble background possibly have?"
Song Tanchai replied, "Mother, you shouldn't say that. Some time ago, I discovered that the kitchen maid was stealing household items to sell for gambling and even embezzling funds for purchases. I was furious and wanted to drive her out immediately. But when Xianglan found out, she stopped me, saying, 'I know you, young lady, are someone who cannot tolerate wrongdoing, but this servant has shown remorse. Her mother-in-law has served the Song family for decades and has come to plead for mercy. If we drive her out like this, we might upset the hearts of the old servants. It would be better to reassign her to another task. If she offends again, we can send her to the estate.' I thought it made sense and reassigned her to laundry duty. Xianglan added, 'Laundry is a thankless and laborious job. If she works diligently, it will not waste your efforts, and she can be used again in the future. If she can't handle it, you can easily dismiss her from the household without anyone finding fault.' She also advised me not to publicize the matter. Before I even understood what was happening, the servants were already praising me for my generosity, saying that even when faced with such a servant, I gave her a chance to repent and showed compassion. After a few days of laundry work, the maid couldn't endure it and claimed illness. I then sent her to the estate. Without much effort, I gained a good reputation and got rid of that scoundrel. If this isn't insight, what is? Mother, you even doubted her character and asked me to check the things in my brother's room. Not a single item was missing from his room, and even the small amounts of silver he used were meticulously recorded. What more are you worried about? When Guo Mama left, she took so many things from the household. If it weren't for Xianglan, that cunning old servant would have gotten away with everything."
Song Yima turned her back, clearly unwilling to listen, so Song Tanchai said no more.
Time flies like a shuttle, and as summer drew to a close, autumn had arrived in the blink of an eye.Xianglan moved a pot of jasmine into the room, lowered the window, and quietly brought Song Ke a bowl of soup, placing it on his desk. Song Ke was working on an essay and set his brush on the blue-and-white porcelain brush rest. He picked up the soup and sniffed it, saying, "Is this pork rib soup today?"
Xianglan replied, "Wolfberry and pork rib soup. It's been simmering over low heat since this morning, and the meat is tender and soft." She deftly organized the stacked books.
Song Ke asked, "Has some been sent to Madam's room?"
Xianglan said, "Yuexi delivered it... Ah, I don't know how I've displeased Madam, but she always seems unwilling to see me." She sighed as she spoke.
Song Ke frowned. Recently, Song Yima had repeatedly complained to him about Xianglan's poor character. Later, she stopped mentioning character and instead claimed Xianglan had the "appearance of poverty and ruin" and shouldn't be kept in the household. He had brushed off these comments initially, but after hearing them too often, he retorted, "Mother, where did you hear such nonsense? I know Xianglan's character better than anyone—she's never touched the loose silver and coins in my room. If you don't believe me, ask Yuexi or Junxi. As for appearances, that's pure charlatan talk. When I was young, someone predicted I wouldn't live past two, yet here I am, grown and well."
Song Yima dropped the subject after that, and he thought the matter was closed. Unbeknownst to him, she still held a grudge. Reflecting further, Song Ke realized his mother took such superstitious beliefs seriously. He decided to take the family to Ganlu Temple in a few days to pray. There, he would bribe a monk to praise Xianglan's appearance in front of his mother, hoping to ease her suspicions. He said, "It's nothing. She's just unsettled since Guo Mama left. Don't overthink it."
Xianglan sighed silently again. How could she not overthink? She was gradually planning a future with Song Ke, but her humble origins already posed a barrier. If Song Yima disliked her too, it would make things even harder.
As Song Ke watched Xianglan gather discarded papers beside him, her slender hands with translucent, glossy nails and pale wrists caught his eye. He took her hand, drew her close, and stealthily kissed her soft cheek. Noticing her ears redden, he held her back, gently pinching her nails. "Others dye their nails with balsam flowers. Why don't you?"
Though they had grown close through daily interactions, Xianglan remained shy. She tried to pull her hand away, but Song Ke held fast. She murmured, "Why bother with such trivial things? They're rather vulgar."
Song Ke chuckled, "They look lovely either way." He caressed her hand, admiring it. "Your hands are so skillful. The scented sachet you made me recently, embroidered with maple leaves and a cicada, was exquisitely detailed. Xiuhong tried to snatch it as soon as he saw it—luckily, I grabbed it back, or he'd have taken it. He asked who made it, and I said I bought it outside. He insisted I get him one too."
He untied the sachet from his waist, examined it, and said, "The embroidery pattern is well-drawn, almost reminiscent of the Recluse of Orchid Fragrance."
Xianglan paused, surprised. "You know of the Recluse of Orchid Fragrance?"Song Ke smiled and said, "Who doesn't know? Her painting skills are renowned, and the artistic conception is quite intriguing. There are those in the market selling her works at high prices, yet many who see them say they capture the form but miss the spirit. I heard your father had some dealings with her and possesses a few of her paintings. Some have even approached me, hoping to buy a couple."
Song Ke's smile was like the spring breeze of March or the gentle rain of summer. Watching his slightly raised eyebrows and the crescent curves of his eyes and lips, the worries in Xianglan's heart instantly dissipated with that smile.
As if talking to himself, Song Ke mused, "Your name is Xianglan, and she's called the Recluse of Orchid Fragrance. Xianglan, Lanxiang... could it be you?" He had meant it as a jest, but when he looked up and saw Xianglan smiling without a word, as if holding deep meaning, he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "It really is you, isn't it?"
Xianglan leaned close to Song Ke, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and with a few swift strokes on the paper, a small insect sprang to life beside the signature of Song Ke's name, its long antennae perked up, vivid and lively.
Song Ke was astounded. He picked up the paper, examining it over and over, as if he no longer recognized Xianglan, scrutinizing her from head to toe.
Xianglan chuckled and asked, "What? Don't you know me anymore?"
After a long pause, Song Ke exclaimed in awe, "It really is you?"
Xianglan sat down beside him and said, "I learned it as a child from the abbess at Tranquil Moon Temple. Nowadays, it sells for silver merely because it's amusing, not because the skill is exceptional. Now that I've told you, you must keep it a secret. If others find out these paintings are by a maidservant, they might not fetch such high prices."
Song Ke shook his head. "If those literati and scholars knew these works came from a beauty's hand, the prices would likely soar several times over. The blend of the mundane and the elegant in your paintings—the artistic conception where refinement meets simplicity—is something ordinary artists can't match. No wonder your family is buying property and land. The Recluse of Orchid Fragrance now paints large-scale works, each fetching fifty taels of silver, equivalent to a shop manager's annual salary." He looked at Xianglan with some delight, yet for some reason, his heart felt uneasy.
Xianglan, however, slowly straightened her expression and posture, saying, "Since I've confided in you, I must make things clear. You saved my life—a debt I can never repay, not in a thousand tribulations. During our time together... I..." Before she could finish, her face flushed. Gritting her teeth, she continued, "I do have feelings for you, but I don't wish to be someone's concubine. Your family is of high standing, while I'm merely a servant, my indenture still in your hands. I'm not worthy of saying such things, but today I'll be bold. If you have no intention of marrying me properly, I will repay you double the silver you spent to redeem me and ask for my freedom. I will always remember the great kindness of saving my life and will find a way to repay it in the future."
Song Ke pressed his lips together and remained silent.He now genuinely loved Xianglan. This girl was gentle and refined, yet possessed an inner resilience. She always cared for him quietly and thoughtfully, considering every detail on his behalf. Initially, he had been drawn to her appearance and temperament, but now he couldn’t bear to be without her and wished to stay with her forever. Even before, he had felt that someone of Xianglan’s character and beauty would be wronged as a concubine. Now, with her remarkable talent, he feared she would never consent to being subordinate to others. Xianglan’s looks and disposition were both excellent—if only she had a slightly more respectable background, even as the illegitimate daughter of an official or the daughter of a landowner, he would have done everything in his power to marry her. But now, although her parents were registered as commoners, they were still of servant origins. Moreover, he had ambitions. To revive his family’s standing, it would be best to marry a wife with a powerful maternal family…
Song Ke silently watched Xianglan, then suddenly reached out to touch her hair and cheek. His hand trembled slightly, as if he longed to touch her but was entangled in hesitation.
Xianglan said nothing. Her clear, bright eyes fixed on him steadily. Then she stood up, walked to the door, and said, “My mother has been unwell these past few days. I’d like to ask Eldest Master for a leave to go back and take care of her for a couple of days.” With that, she opened the door and left.
Song Ke sat alone in the room, staring blankly and motionless at the vividly drawn little insect on the paper.
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